See the most up-to-date MATE Act information at ada.org/dea
In December 2022, the U.S. Congress passed an omnibus spending bill that included the Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE) Act. This new law requires prescribers of controlled substances, including dentists, to
complete eight hours of one-time training on safely prescribing controlled substances in order to receive or renew their registration with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). This new requirement goes into effect on June 27, 2023. To help dentists comply, the ADA has created a
Frequently Asked Questions document addressing common questions we have heard from members. The FAQ document lists webinars hosted by the ADA which are free to members. The ADA is waiting for DEA to answer several questions about what training qualifies, and the ADA believes the webinars listed in the FAQ would satisfy the training requirement. For ongoing updates dentists and dental professionals are encouraged to reference the FAQ or email the Member Service Center at
msc@ada.org, or call 312-440-2500. Staff are available 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM Central Time.
* * * IMPORTANT * * *
Before taking new courses, note that past trainings from recognized groups can be used to satisfy requirement. In other words, if you received a relevant training from one of the recognized groups—prior to the enactment of this new training obligation on December 29, 2022—that training counts towards the eight hour requirement. DEA has confirmed there is no statute of limitations for past coursework to qualify. Also note that relevant dental school coursework counts toward the federally required training for those who are less than five years out of dental school.
Both the ADA and ADA CERP providers are among the designated training organizations that offer educational courses on the safe pharmacological management of dental pain and screening, brief intervention, and referral for appropriate treatment of patients with or at risk of developing opioid and other substance use disorders. The DEA appears to be relying on the law’s designated training organizations to make good faith determinations about what courses will satisfy the new training requirement. The following one-hour webinars are hosted by the ADA and include CE credit. All the courses are free for ADA members; some are free for non-members. The ADA is a designated training provider.
The Special Considerations of Pain Management and Opioid Use in Older Adults
Emergency Department Referral Model in Action: Addressing Dental Access Opioid Prevention and Pain Management
Clinical Practice Guideline for Management of Acute Dental Pain
The Dental Hygienist’s Role in Supporting Patients with Substance Use Disorder
What You Need to Know Now About Pain Management As the Opioid Overdose Crisis Evolves
Opioids, Dentistry and Addiction: The Dentist’s Role in Treating Pain
The Impact of COVID-19 on the Addiction Field: A Call to Dentists
Integrating Controlled Substance Risk Assessment and Management into Dental Practice
OTHER Options:
Experience SCOPE of Pain Education - Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine